Johannesburg is home to South Africa’s biggest science centre, the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, located in the heart of Newtown. Since opening its doors in 2004, the 6 000-square-metre centre has played a leading role in making mathematics and science interactive and accessible to learners across the city and beyond.
Petunia Mpoza, Senior Manager: Integrated Marketing and Communications, says the centre’s impact goes far beyond improving marks in the classroom. “Our goal is not only to help learners achieve better grades, but to plant a seed and dispel the myth that maths and science are hard. We have state-of-the-art science laboratories where we bring textbook concepts to life through practical experiments.”
The centre boasts a wide range of programmes and facilities. These include free information and communication technology courses, robotics training, a clubhouse offering school holiday programmes, and even a climbing wall that blends physical activity with problem-solving.
The centre also houses a career centre providing online career assessment and counselling, a multimedia studio used for broadcasting live lessons and revision sessions, and a research component that supports innovation and inquiry-based learning. Plans are underway to integrate the arts through collaborations with local creatives, exploring the science behind artistic expression.
Visitors can expect fully interactive exhibits that stimulate the senses, inviting them to see, touch, smell and experience science in action. “We’re championing the fifth industrial revolution,” says Mpoza, highlighting the centre’s commitment to preparing learners for a rapidly evolving digital world.
The centre recently partnered with China Science and Technology Museum to launch the Life, Information, Science, Technology, Education, and Network (L.I.S.T.E.N) Science Space Exhibition.
Mpoza says the exhibition offers an edutourism experience that brings together culture and innovation through interactive displays, agile robot dogs, immersive virtual reality and engaging open science classes. “The exhibition aims to promote mutual learning and deepen scientific and cultural exchange for the collective advancement of science literacy.”
Sci-Bono was established as a partnership project of the Gauteng Department of Education to strengthen capacity in science, engineering and technology. It has evolved into a dynamic learning space focused on STEM, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Today, the centre has expanded its scope to embrace STREAM education, incorporating science, technology, research, engineering, arts and mathematics.
The centre is open to the public for fun, family trips and excursions, hosts birthday parties and boasts a gift shop for science-inspired gifts. Entrance fee is R60 for adults, R40 for pensioners, students and children between 3 and 18 years, and those under three enter free. It is open weekdays, Saturdays and on public holidays from 09:00 to 16:30 and on Sundays from 09:00 to 15:30.
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi